United News of Bangladesh

The district administration and health department have ordered the temporary closure of four private hospitals and diagnostic centers in Chandina upazila of Comilla due to irregularities. The facilities are Ibne Sina Hospital, New Chandina Medical Center (also known as Insaf Community Hospital), an unnamed private hospital, and Doa Diagnostic Center. Cumilla Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Reza Mohammad Sarwar Akbar confirmed the closures on Friday, saying the institutions have been asked to correct the errors within seven days and submit a report to the Civil Surgeon's office. Sources said several facilities lacked valid licenses, did not display price lists in Bengali, had no pathological fridges or color-coded bins in labs, and were operating X-ray rooms without technicians. Dengue cases were reportedly identified but not reported to the health department, and expired reagents were being used. Some centers reportedly had no doctors, technicians, or cleaners on duty. Dr. Akbar said regular inspections will continue at private hospitals and diagnostic centers across the district to ensure quality healthcare services.  

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has ordered swift action against those responsible for a knife attack in Rajshahi that killed a judge’s son and left his wife seriously injured on Thursday. In a statement, Adviser Nazrul strongly condemned the brutal attack on the rented residence of Rajshahi Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Abdur Rahman at around 2:30 pm. He said law enforcement agencies have taken immediate steps and the government is closely monitoring the treatment of the injured Tasmin Nahar at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, maintaining round-the-clock communication with hospital authorities. Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, Nazrul also assured that the government will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the judiciary and their families. The victim, 18-year-old Tausif Rahman Sumon, a class IX student and son of Judge Abdur Rahman, was hacked to death, while his mother was severely injured in the violent attack at their rented home in the Dabtola area. According to Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian, the assailant entered the residence and attacked the family indiscriminately. Police have arrested a suspect, Emon, in connection with the murder. Investigators said Judge Abdur Rahman had earlier filed a general diary (GD) against the suspect while serving in Sylhet, citing concerns over his behavior.

Police in Chittagong have recovered about 100,000 yaba tablets worth an estimated Tk 3 crore from an abandoned private car in the Firingi Bazar area under Kotwali police station. The operation took place on Thursday around 6:30 p.m. near the old Fishery Ghat area, according to OC Abdul Karim of Kotwali police. Assistant Police Commissioner Nure Al Mahmud of Kotwali Zone and members of the Detective Branch were also present. Police said a patrol team was deployed in the area after receiving a tip-off. A Premio car, Dhaka Metro G–371849, was spotted violating the checkpoint signal and speeding away. The vehicle was later abandoned a short distance away. During a search, officers recovered 10 packets of yaba, including nine wrapped in yellow tape and one in black tape. The estimated market value of the recovered drugs is about Tk 3 crore. The car has been taken to the police station, and the packets will be formally counted in the presence of media. No arrests have been made yet in connection with the case.

The administration of Dhaka University has suspended five security guards following an incident in which locks were placed allegedly by members of the banned student front of the Awami League on gates at five campus locations. A statement from the university’s public relations office on Thursday said the guards were temporarily dismissed for negligence in duty. The suspended guards are— Md. Shah Alam (IER), Md. Selim (IER), Md. Sangram Hossain (between Fine Arts faculty gates), Md. Shafiqul Islam (Nutrition and Food Science), and Md. Ali Ahmed (back gate of Curzon Hall). According to the university, the guards were on duty from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Nov. 11. During inspections by the Proctorial Security Mobile Team, negligence in carrying out security responsibilities was observed. The locks were placed as part of a 'lockdown' program called by Awami League, carried out by leaders and activists of the Chhatra League, whose outright organisational ban predates the one on its mother party's activities. The locks were secured with chains, and white papers reading “Lockdown BSL” (Chhatra or 'Bangladesh Student League') were attached. Some of their leaders posted as much on Facebook, describing how they executed what was immediately considered a serious breach, even amid the heightened activity on the day. Confirming the matter, DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “The guards have been temporarily dismissed for dereliction of duty and have been served show-cause notices. The individuals who placed the locks are being traced. CCTV footage has been obtained, and efforts are underway to identify them.”

Police Headquarters has urged the public not to be misled by propaganda on social media using the names and identities of police officials. In a statement issued on Thursday, it said that recently some quarters have been spreading fabricated videos featuring the photos of the DMP Commissioner, Superintendent of Police in Tangail, and AIG (Media and PR) od Police headquarters with artificial voices and false information to mislead people. The statement added that such activities are part of an attempt by certain groups to create unrest, incite destructive acts, and carry out subversive activities in the country. It also said that Bangladesh Police remain firm in taking legal action against those involved in such propaganda. The people have been urged not to like, comment, or share any information, photo, statement, audio, or video on social media without verifying its authenticity.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Thursday set November 17 to deliver its first verdict in a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others over alleged crimes against humanity during last year’s July-August uprising. A three-member tribunal, headed by Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder and Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, fixed the date. Two other accused in the case are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Mamun testified as a state witness. Initially, Sheikh Hasina was the sole accused in the case. On March 16 this year, the prosecution appealed to include former IGP Mamun as an accused alongside Sheikh Hasina and the tribunal approved it. After the Awami League government was toppled on August 5, 2024, the ICT was reconstituted. The first case in the reconstituted tribunal concerned alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising, with Sheikh Hasina as the accused. The tribunal conducted its first hearing on October 17 last year, issuing an arrest warrant against Hasina that day. Tensions rise as ICT going to set verdict date in Hasina case After extending the deadline several times, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its final probe report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on May 12 this year. On June 1, the prosecution formally filed charges against Sheikh Hasina and the two accused. The charges include: ·         Inciting violence in a press conference at Ganabhaban on 14 July 2024; ·         Ordering the elimination of protestors using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons; ·         The shooting death of student Abu Saeed at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur; ·         The killing of six protestors at Chankharpul, Dhaka; ·         The burning of six individuals in Ashulia. The tribunal formally framed these charges on July 10. Hasina and Asaduzzaman remain at large, while former IGP Mamun is the only arrested accused. On the day the charges were framed, Mamun admitted his involvement in crimes against humanity during the uprising and applied to testify as a state witness. Arguments in the case began on October 12 and concluded on October 23. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has sought the death penalty for Hasina and Asaduzzaman over the alleged crimes. ICT orders trial against Inu over six Kushtia killings On the other hand, state-appointed lawyer Md. Amir Hossain has sought acquittal for both Hasina and Khan, while Mamun’s lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad has also sought his acquittal.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has warned against a misleading reel circulated on social media, which uses a distorted video clip of DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali combined with an artificial voice to spread false and fabricated information. In a media release issued early Thursday, the DMP urged the public not to be misled by such planned and malicious attempts being made through social media by defeated quarters. Strict action to be taken against biased conduct during polls: DMP Commissioner The release said the move appears to be part of a deliberate effort by ill-motivated groups to create confusion among the public about the police’s recent actions to protect lives and property amid incidents of cocktail explosions and arson attacks on vehicles in different parts of the capital. The DMP also warned that stern legal action will be taken against those involved in producing and disseminating such distorted content. It also urged social media users to verify the authenticity of any information, photo, audio, or video before sharing it online.    

Supporters and opponents of the Awami League-called ‘lockdown’ staged separate demonstrations in Gazipur on Thursday morning (13th November 2025), though daily life remained largely normal despite reduced long-distance bus services. From early morning, students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) and several other institutions took to the streets with sticks to resist enforcement of the lockdown. They staged protests at Rail Gate and other key points before gathering at Shibbari intersection, chanting slogans against the banned Awami League. Read more: 3 buses set on fire in Gazipur Meanwhile, activists of Islami Andolan Bangladesh brought out motorcycle rallies and processions in several areas before converging at Shibbari. Earlier at dawn, district Jubo League activists demonstrated in favour of the lockdown by burning tyres on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Sreepur’s C&B area. Members of law enforcement agencies were deployed at several points of Gazipur city to prevent any illegal attempt to disrupt daily life. On Tuesday night and early Wednesday, miscreants set fire to three buses at different locations in Gazipur, triggering panic among residents. Read more: Dhaka on high alert amid Awami League's countrywide ‘lockdown’ call

Law enforcement agencies, including police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), are on high alert across key points of Dhaka on Thursday (13th November 2025) as the Awami League (AL) called a countrywide ‘lockdown’. The movement of people and transport, particularly private vehicles, was notably thinner than usual amid growing public anxiety over safety. Businesses and educational institutions remained open, continuing their regular activities. Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman, a resident of Gulshan and a well-known therapist, who travelled to Mirpur 7 by motorcycle for urgent work, told UNB, “The number of passenger vehicles was almost half of what we usually see on a weekday. Only a limited number of CNG auto-rickshaws, private cars, and motorcycles were on the streets. However, the police presence on flyovers has significantly reduced the risk of sabotage. I felt quite safe while travelling.” He added, “It’s clear that fear has kept many people at home today.” The supporters of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and allied parties took positions at several points in Dhaka to resist any move by the AL and brought out processions protesting the  ‘lockdown’ programme, called as the International Crime Tribunal-1 ( ICT-1) is set to announce a date today for the delivery of judgment in a case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others for crimes against humanity, including murders, during last year's July-August mass uprising.  Over the past few days, several incidents of arson and crude bomb blasts were reported in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, intensifying public fears of renewed unrest. To maintain order, the government deployed 12 platoons of BGB in Dhaka and two more in nearby districts. At a press conference on Wednesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said the force was fully prepared to prevent any act of sabotage related to the lockdown. Read more: Tension rises in Dhaka ahead of planned ‘lockdown’ amid fears of violence The tribunal fixed November 13 for fixing a judgment date after both prosecution and defence completed their closing arguments before the three-member panel led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh to India on August 5, 2024, amid the mass uprising. A total of 54 witnesses testified in the trial, including relatives of victims—such as the father of martyr Abu Sayed—and key witnesses like Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman. According to the charges, the then Awami League government, along with party leaders, loyal administrators and members of law enforcement agencies, committed crimes against humanity to suppress the student-led July–August uprising. On July 10, the tribunal indicted Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, formally beginning the trial. Former IGP Al-Mamun later turned state witness and provided detailed testimony about the incidents. Besides this case, Sheikh Hasina faces two other cases before the International Crimes Tribunal—one over enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s 15 and a half years in power, and another over the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally killings at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar. Read more: Tensions rise as ICT going to set verdict date in Hasina case

A crude bomb exploded in front of Fortune Shopping Mall in the capital’s Mouchak area on Wednesday night, police said. The explosion occurred around 11:30 pm near the Mouchak roundabout, sparking panic among pedestrians and commuters. However, no casualties were reported. Speaking to UNB, a police officer said the crude bomb—commonly known as a cocktail—was hurled from the Malibagh flyover by an unidentified assailant. “The miscreant managed to flee as he was on the flyover,” the officer added. Meanwhile, a man was injured in a separate incident of cocktail explosions at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University on Wednesday night. A motorcycle belonging to a journalist parked nearby was also partially damaged in the blast.